Fantastic Voyage (1966)

A scientist is nearly assassinated. In order to save him, a submarine is shrunken to microscopic size and injected into his bloodstream with a small crew. Problems arise almost as soon as they enter it.

Director:

Richard Fleischer

Writers:

Harry Kleiner (screenplay), David Duncan (adaptation)

Stars:

Stephen Boyd, Raquel Welch, Edmond O'Brien

Won 2 Oscars. Another 2 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Stephen Boyd	...	Grant
Raquel Welch	...	Cora
Edmond O'Brien	...	General Carter
Donald Pleasence	...	Dr. Michaels
Arthur O'Connell	...	Col. Donald Reid
William Redfield	...	Capt. Bill Owens
Arthur Kennedy	...	Dr. Duval
Jean Del Val	...	Jan Benes
Barry Coe	...	Communications Aide
Ken Scott	...	Secret Service
Shelby Grant	...	Nurse
James Brolin	...	Technician
Brendan Fitzgerald	...	Wireless Operator

Storyline

Scientist Jan Benes (Jean Del Val), who knows the secret to keeping soldiers shrunken for an indefinite period, escapes from behind the Iron Curtain with the help of C.I.A. Agent Grant (Stephen Boyd). While being transferred, their motorcade is attacked. Benes strikes his head, causing a blood clot to form in his brain. Grant is ordered to accompany a group of scientists as they are miniaturized. They have one hour to get to Benes' brain, remove the clot, and get out.

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Plot Keywords:

miniaturization | scientist | blood clot | submarine | traitor | 

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Taglines:

The screen's most fantastic voyage

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Genres:

Adventure | Family | Sci-Fi

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for mild violence and language

Did You Know?

Trivia

Raquel Welch said in her 2013 book that she was infatuated with Stephen Boyd in making this movie, although he declined her advances.

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Goofs

Wires are visible when the sub is in the lymphatic system just prior to moving to the inner ear. Wires show on the sub, the reticulated fibers, and even on the "invading bodies."

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Quotes

[Carter reaches out to kill an ant crawling on the table and changes his mind]
Col. Donald Reid: You'll wind up a Hindu. They respect all forms of life, however small.

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Alternate Versions

The DVD edition has the following prologue: "The makers of this film are indebted to the many doctors, technicians and research scientists, whose knowledge and insight helped guide this production" The TV/Video version features this prologue instead: "This film will take you where no one has ever been before; no eye witness has actually seen what you are about to see. But in this world of ours where going to the moon will soon be upon us and where the most incredible things are happening all around us, someday, perhaps tomorrow, the fantastic events you are about to see can and will take place."

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Connections

Referenced in Nostalgia Critic Real Thoughts: Osmosis Jones (2015)

User Reviews

Classic SF and great visuals

This movie holds up after nearly 35 years. The TV version is often chopped up for commercials and the print muddy, but if you can get a good video or see it on a premium movie channel, Fantastic Voyage will still produce a sense of wonder as you navigate "inside" an injured man's body with a team of intrepid explorers to find and repair microscopic damage. Some of the Cold War aspects of the film might jar, as well as a 35-year-old vision of "high tech", but the spec effects of the journey of the PROTEUS through the human vascular system was years ahead of its time.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 September 1966 (Japan)

Also Known As:

Fantastic Voyage

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena - 3939 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$5,115,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1